Planning your first bikepacking adventure? While the allure of the open trail and the freedom of two wheels can be exhilarating, it's easy to stumble into common pitfalls that could dampen your journey.

I asked seasoned bikepackers, “What’s a mistake you made early in your bikepacking adventures, and what advice would you give to help others avoid it?”

Whether preparing to tackle long distances or simply seeking to savor the experience, their insights will guide you toward a smoother, more enjoyable adventure.

“Overpacking! It's so easy to fill every ounce of available space with extra gear, spare layers, and luxury items: collapsable chairs, ukuleles, and crocheting needles. But I'd strongly encourage you to take a good hard look at each and every item on your packing list to decide if you really need--or want--to bring it. While going minimalist often means sacrificing comfort, there's nothing more satisfying than a setup where each and every item is valued and used. Plus, paring your kit down to the essentials will help you stay organized, and a lighter bike is easier to maneuver.” — Meaghan Hackinen

“I think trying to do too many miles in one day was my biggest mistake early on. I would encourage folks to read between the lines when they’re picking routes, because I found there to be a bit of ego in bike packing routes found online that downplay the overall difficulty. For me, it was more enjoyable to ride a reasonable distance and have some time to hang at camp, make food while it’s still light out, and take in the landscape. Also take some time to enjoy a hot beverage and breakfast in the morning.” — Dylan Stucki

“I think the biggest mistake one can make though is to get too focused on milage, or time/speed. I came to [bikepacking] directly from a backpacking and I was an off the beaten path kinda hiker. It was all about exploring that first summer, not mileage or set destinations, there were lots of naps, side hikes and time spent not going forward. It was an awesome summer! Once I started racing I sort of forgot about going slow and how wonderful that is and instead was solely focused on racking up numbers. While it is fun to see what you can do in terms of covering miles, seeing places and not hurrying past them can be amazing too. Hiking, biking with my daughter has really reminded me of that. Looking for fairy houses is a great destination to have.” – Jefe Branham

Source: Phillips, M. (2025, March 14). Avoid these rookie mistakes on your first bikepacking adventure, say experts. Bicycling. https://www.bicycling.com/skills-tips/a64177651/first-bikepacking-mistakes/